Why is my water discolored?
Overview
Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in the ground and water sources used by the City of Georgetown, and it can cause discoloration or green water in your tap water. While the discoloration can be alarming, the water is safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing. The city's water treatment processes, which include raising the water's pH and using filtration, are designed to remove manganese, but high levels of manganese from sources like flooding can temporarily overwhelm these systems.
What causes manganese in your water?
• Natural occurrence: Manganese is a naturally occurring substance present in the groundwater and sediments that make up the wells and reservoirs supplying the city's water.
• Discoloration: When manganese levels are high, it can cause tap water to appear to have a green tint.
• Impact of flooding: Recent flooding events in Central Texas have pushed significant amounts of manganese into the city's surface water sources, like Lake Georgetown. What is Georgetown doing about it?
• Water treatment: The city uses a water treatment process at its purification plant to remove iron and manganese by raising the water's pH and using pressure filtration to improve clarity. While manganese in its solid state can be physically removed, soluble manganese must go through a chemical oxidation process to prevent it from reacting with steel pipes and precipitating out later in the distribution system, which produces a colored tint in tap water that some customers began to notice in the weeks after the floods.
• Addressing high levels: The city is adjusting its treatment procedures to deal with the increased manganese levels caused by the floodwaters. It is important to note that manganese is classified as a “secondary constituent,” meaning that its impacts are aesthetic—affecting color, taste and/or odor—with no impact to health or safety under 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L).
Is the water safe?
• Yes, it is safe: Even with increased manganese, the water remains safe for drinking, cooking, and bathing, as concentrations stay within state and federal standards.
• What to do if you see discoloration: The city suggests flushing your in-home water lines by running taps and hoses to help alleviate any discoloration.
• Contact the city: If you notice prolonged low pressure or have other water quality concerns, you can report them to the Customer Care Team.
Contact Information
512-930-3640
customercare@georgetowntexas.gov
Additional Information